88 MISSOURI AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 



share the greatness of the exposition with the outside world, Missouri- 

 ans can take to themselves the credit of reviving sentiment and giving 

 substantial evidence of gratitude to Providence for taking from under 

 the yoke of Monarchy, and placing in the fostering care of Freedom, the 

 great territory wherein now dwell a prosperous and happy people. 



That the celebration of the anniversary of a great event in the his- 

 tory of a Nation's life, instills patriotism and love for country and her 

 institutions, and instills energy and ambition to keep on striving to main- 

 tain her ideals, cannot be denied. It is the duty of every nation to mark 

 her natal days in such a manner that every sojourner within her borders 

 will know that her people love their country and keep ever alive their 

 obligations to State and Country. 



So we celebrate Independence Day, and so was the Centennial An- 

 niversary of that event celebrated at Philadelphia. So is the birthday 

 of the great patriot and general who led us to independence celebrated. 

 But there is one event, an event scond only in importance to the Dec- 

 laration of Independence, which has heretofore received not the slightest 

 remembrance. I refer to what is known in history as the Louisiana Pur- 

 chase, that treaty of purchase in which the greatest Warrior on one side 

 cf the Atlantic and the greatest Statesman on the other side, were the 

 most conspicuous figures, whereby there passed to a new born nation a 

 territory that was destined in a century to become greater in wealth and 

 influence on the destinies of nations, than the country which bartered 

 it, for, to quote a well-known writer, ''if 1776 declared the independence 

 of our country, 1803 achieved it." 



This great event whereby more than 875,000 square miles of terri- 

 tory was added to the United States, their independence and powers as- 

 sured, has never been acknowledged in any way. School histories do 

 not even mention December 20, 1803, the day on which our flag was raised 

 for the first time over the territory now comprising the States of Louisiana, 

 Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, 

 South Dakota, Montana and Wyoming, Oklahoma and Indian Territories, 

 and the homes of more than twenty millions of happy free souls. 



That December 20 has not been celebrated each recurring year has 

 been a grievous fault; to permit the Centennial anniversary of this great 

 blessing of humanity to pass unmarked, would be base ingratitude. r>ut 

 the Centennial will not pass uncommemorated : it will be celebrated with 

 a burst of glory which will reach around the globe and from pole to pole. 

 Every civilized nation of the earth, republics and monarchies alike, will 

 participate in that celebration, and even every uncivilized people will be 

 represented there. 



